Cells, Molecules and Genes
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
Cell, Molecules and Genes course addresses the basic cellular and molecular biology processes as well as of the consequences of their pathological alterations. The importance of approaches of molecular biology as diagnostic and/or therapeutic tools is underlined. The module of molecular biology provides students with a deep knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the main processes of the flow of genetic information and their possible involvements in pathological conditions. Students are introduced to the approaches of molecular biology useful to perform biomedical research, diagnose the molecular consequences of genetic mutations and/or develop novel therapeutic approaches. The Biology module provides insights into the cell life cycle, the models that are used in biomedical and preclinical research from cells to animals with a focus on stem cells and their use, not only as models but also as fundamental tools in regenerative medicine. Cell communication and its relevance in the control of fundamental cellular processes like cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, and cell death are analyzed in depth and the contribution of impaired cell communications to human pathologies will be examined.
Expected learning outcomes
Students are expected to achieve knowledge on:
· differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells;
· cell ultrastructure, morphology and structure of organelles and their main functions;
· main cellular and animal models used to understand the basic cellular mechanisms and to model human pathologies;
· structure and function of the main cellular macromolecules (nucleic acids and proteins)
· the molecular basis of genetic information maintenance (replication and repair), its expression and regulation (transcription, transcription maturation, protein synthesis, epigenetics);
· main molecular biology techniques useful for analyzing the DNA sequence, studying gene expression, even at a global level;
· the importance of molecular biology for the diagnosis and treatment of some human pathologies;
· the communication mechanisms between cells, signal transduction within cells, replication regulation, stem cell formation, cell death and neoplastic transformation;
· the different mechanisms of receptor activation and their regulation with the aim of understanding the intracellular signaling pathways and their impact on cell physiology.
· differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells;
· cell ultrastructure, morphology and structure of organelles and their main functions;
· main cellular and animal models used to understand the basic cellular mechanisms and to model human pathologies;
· structure and function of the main cellular macromolecules (nucleic acids and proteins)
· the molecular basis of genetic information maintenance (replication and repair), its expression and regulation (transcription, transcription maturation, protein synthesis, epigenetics);
· main molecular biology techniques useful for analyzing the DNA sequence, studying gene expression, even at a global level;
· the importance of molecular biology for the diagnosis and treatment of some human pathologies;
· the communication mechanisms between cells, signal transduction within cells, replication regulation, stem cell formation, cell death and neoplastic transformation;
· the different mechanisms of receptor activation and their regulation with the aim of understanding the intracellular signaling pathways and their impact on cell physiology.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Prerequisites for admission
There is no specific pre-requirement for the admission to the Cells Molecules and Genes course
Assessment methods and Criteria
At the end of both modules of the course, students will have the opportunity to take a written test; there will be two sessions of written tests. The tests will consist of a mixture of both multiple-choice questions with 5 possible answers or short open questions; for multiple choices, one or more answers may be correct. The questions will focus on most of the topics covered in class. Those who have not taken or passed the written test will have to take an oral exam according to the sessions. The final grade will be calculated considering the CFU weight of the two modules.
Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Registration to both written and oral exams through SIFA is mandatory.
Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Registration to both written and oral exams through SIFA is mandatory.
Molecular biology
Course syllabus
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
· Structure of nucleic acids: a quick journey through the main experiments that proved fundamental in understanding their role and structure. Useful techniques for the purification and analysis of nucleic acids.
· Structure of proteins; techniques useful for their purification and analysis.
· Genes and genomes: organization and functions.
· The main molecular biology techniques: principles and useful medical applications.
· Transcription in prokaryotes and the molecular mechanisms involved.
· The regulation of transcription in prokaryotes and the lactose operon as a paradigm of negative and positive regulation.
· Transcription in eukaryotes: description of the factors and molecular mechanisms involved.
· RNA maturation and its correction as a therapeutic application.
· Chromatin structure and hints of topology.
· Epigenetics: DNA methylation in physiological and pathological conditions; the concept of histone code and how an aberrant chromatin structure can cause human diseases; non-coding RNAs as a mechanism for regulating gene expression and their importance in human health.
· Protein synthesis: its protagonists and the molecular mechanisms involved.
· The main molecular mechanisms useful for preserving genetic material: DNA replication and repair, including main mechanisms of mutagenesis.
· Structure of nucleic acids: a quick journey through the main experiments that proved fundamental in understanding their role and structure. Useful techniques for the purification and analysis of nucleic acids.
· Structure of proteins; techniques useful for their purification and analysis.
· Genes and genomes: organization and functions.
· The main molecular biology techniques: principles and useful medical applications.
· Transcription in prokaryotes and the molecular mechanisms involved.
· The regulation of transcription in prokaryotes and the lactose operon as a paradigm of negative and positive regulation.
· Transcription in eukaryotes: description of the factors and molecular mechanisms involved.
· RNA maturation and its correction as a therapeutic application.
· Chromatin structure and hints of topology.
· Epigenetics: DNA methylation in physiological and pathological conditions; the concept of histone code and how an aberrant chromatin structure can cause human diseases; non-coding RNAs as a mechanism for regulating gene expression and their importance in human health.
· Protein synthesis: its protagonists and the molecular mechanisms involved.
· The main molecular mechanisms useful for preserving genetic material: DNA replication and repair, including main mechanisms of mutagenesis.
Teaching methods
Both modules consist of frontal lectures with slide shows in Power Point. In all teaching moments, students are exhorted to try to find experimental strategies useful for solving small scientific problems or to consider the possible biomedical applications deduced from the acquired knowledge. Discussions in class are solicited.
The teaching material consisting of presentations in PDF format is made available at the end of the lesson on the Ariel and for molecular biology Educo platform.
The teaching material consisting of presentations in PDF format is made available at the end of the lesson on the Ariel and for molecular biology Educo platform.
Teaching Resources
Karp, Gerald, Iwasa, Janet, Marshall, Wallace Karp's Cell and Molecular Biology
Watson, Baker, Bell, Gann, Levine Molecular Biology of the Gene
Watson, Baker, Bell, Gann, Levine Molecular Biology of the Gene
Biology
Course syllabus
BIOLOGY
· The organization of living matter and the structural framework of the cell. Structure and functions of pro- vs. eukaryotic cells. Conservation of developmental programs among different species.
· Experimental models in cell biology. Cell models and organisms for the study of biological phenomena.
· The stem cell and its relevance for studying pathogenesis of diseases. Definition of stemness. Identification of master regulators of stem cell pluripotency. The induced pluripotent stem cell.
· Signal transduction. Cell membrane structure. Nature of intercellular communication and receptors. Second messengers.
· The cell cycle. Cell cycle phases. Regulation of cell cycle by extracellular stimuli. Cell cycle checkpoints. Role and regulation of cyclins.
· Cell death. Differences between necrosis and apoptosis. Milestones in apoptosis research. Roles of apoptosis. Molecular regulation of apoptosis. Caspases. The apoptosome. Extrinsic death pathway
· Oncogenes and cancer. Classes of oncogenes. Mechanisms of proto- oncogenes activation. Tumor suppressor genes
· Synthesis, folding and protein traffic and degradation. The quality control of proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen. Folding enzymes and chaperons. The ubiquitin/proteasome system and autophagy
· The organization of living matter and the structural framework of the cell. Structure and functions of pro- vs. eukaryotic cells. Conservation of developmental programs among different species.
· Experimental models in cell biology. Cell models and organisms for the study of biological phenomena.
· The stem cell and its relevance for studying pathogenesis of diseases. Definition of stemness. Identification of master regulators of stem cell pluripotency. The induced pluripotent stem cell.
· Signal transduction. Cell membrane structure. Nature of intercellular communication and receptors. Second messengers.
· The cell cycle. Cell cycle phases. Regulation of cell cycle by extracellular stimuli. Cell cycle checkpoints. Role and regulation of cyclins.
· Cell death. Differences between necrosis and apoptosis. Milestones in apoptosis research. Roles of apoptosis. Molecular regulation of apoptosis. Caspases. The apoptosome. Extrinsic death pathway
· Oncogenes and cancer. Classes of oncogenes. Mechanisms of proto- oncogenes activation. Tumor suppressor genes
· Synthesis, folding and protein traffic and degradation. The quality control of proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen. Folding enzymes and chaperons. The ubiquitin/proteasome system and autophagy
Teaching methods
Both modules consist of frontal lectures with slide shows in Power Point. In all teaching moments, students are exhorted to try to find experimental strategies useful for solving small scientific problems or to consider the possible biomedical applications deduced from the acquired knowledge. Discussions in class are solicited.
The teaching material consisting of presentations in PDF format is made available at the end of the lesson on the Ariel and for molecular biology Educo platform.
The teaching material consisting of presentations in PDF format is made available at the end of the lesson on the Ariel and for molecular biology Educo platform.
Teaching Resources
Alberts B. et al. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL. Garland Science
Biology
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Francolini Maura
Molecular biology
BIO/11 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - University credits: 4
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Frasca Angelisa, Landsberger Nicoletta
Professor(s)
Reception:
Please contact [email protected] to schedule a meeting
Via Vanvitelli, 32 - 20129 Milano Dept. Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine
Reception:
By appointment